Can canine cancer one day be a disease of the past? With ongoing research to find a cure for this devastating disease, many promising treatments for human and canine cancer are being developed.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a human or a pet, canine cancer is a word no one wants to hear. Pet owners deal with this every day, but new research shows there may be a way to beat or at least combat this deadly disease.
A common canine cancer called melanoma is a common skin cancer in humans and is a type that is also shared with canines. These are extremely dangerous and dogs most often develop it as mouth cancer known as CMM or Canine Malignant Melanoma. This is the most common form of oral cancer in dogs and is responsible for nearly five percent of canine cancers.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Animal Medical Center in New York teamed up to start finding a cure or better treatments for people and dogs with melanomas. The research shows excellent results and may possibly lead the way for a canine cancer vaccine.
Based on this research, a leading veterinary drug company called Merial Animal Health has created a vaccine. At this point, the USDA has granted Merial a conditional license and it will soon be available to veterinary oncologists. This vaccine is expected to show the same results as seen before and continue with the same safety and efficiency.
As with aging pets, cancer becomes a greater threat. Estimates of half of pet deaths over the age of 10 are attributed to cancer. You should always discuss all treatments with your vet before agreeing to any treatment option. There are many options, including chemotherapy and radiation, and they are generally well tolerated in pets.